This cave village in France offers a natural escape from extreme heat

FILE: This July 2007 photo shows a view of the Cathar city of Minerve in southern France.

Published on

21/06/2026 - 9:14 GMT+2

Residents of the troglodyte village of Trôo say their cave homes remain naturally cool year-round, offering an energy-efficient refuge as heatwaves become more frequent across France.

As temperatures soar across France, the troglodyte village of Trôo is drawing attention for an unusual advantage: homes carved directly into rock that stay cool even during extreme heat.

Located north of Tours, the village is known for its cave dwellings, some of which are still inhabited today. Residents say the thick layers of surrounding rock maintain a stable indoor temperature throughout the year, reducing the need for air conditioning in summer and helping retain warmth in winter.

Dominique Opéron, who lives in one of the homes, says temperatures inside remain around 20 degrees Celsius even when the outside temperature climbs above 35 degrees.

Local tourism association chairman Jean-Luc Eclercy-Deterpigny describes cave living as “an incredible stroke of luck” in the era of climate change, noting that residents can rely on the natural cooling effect of the rock during increasingly frequent heatwaves.

The village also features several kilometres of underground tunnels and a small number of permanently occupied cave homes. Local officials say growing numbers of visitors are becoming interested in this centuries-old form of housing as they search for ways to adapt to rising temperatures.

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